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Lobbying: Parliament to review security passes Lobbying: Parliament security passes to be reviewed
(about 7 hours later)
The House of Commons authorities are to review 80 security passes following recent revelations about lobbying, the BBC has been told. Commons authorities are to review 80 Parliament security passes following recent revelations about lobbying, the BBC has been told.
Three peers and an MP have been accused of agreeing to do parliamentary work for payment, with the government promising reforms by the summer.Three peers and an MP have been accused of agreeing to do parliamentary work for payment, with the government promising reforms by the summer.
The House of Commons Commission will begin a "validation" of passes issued by all-party groups, a source said.The House of Commons Commission will begin a "validation" of passes issued by all-party groups, a source said.
The move comes after ministers promised to clean up political lobbying.The move comes after ministers promised to clean up political lobbying.
Lord Cunningham, Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate, Lord Laird and MP Patrick Mercer all deny wrongdoing and their cases are being investigated by standards watchdogs.Lord Cunningham, Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate, Lord Laird and MP Patrick Mercer all deny wrongdoing and their cases are being investigated by standards watchdogs.
The coalition announced on Monday that it would bring forward a bill to create a statutory register of professional lobbyists - whose job it is to influence politicians on behalf of companies and other organisations - before the end of July.The coalition announced on Monday that it would bring forward a bill to create a statutory register of professional lobbyists - whose job it is to influence politicians on behalf of companies and other organisations - before the end of July.
All-party parliamentary groups are run by and for MPs and peers, although many groups involve individuals and organisations from outside Parliament in their administration and activities.All-party parliamentary groups are run by and for MPs and peers, although many groups involve individuals and organisations from outside Parliament in their administration and activities.
'Shabby''Shabby'
The interests covered are wide, ranging from the affairs of countries to hobbies and social issues.The interests covered are wide, ranging from the affairs of countries to hobbies and social issues.
Mr Mercer, who has since resigned the Conservative Party whip, was secretly filmed by BBC's Panorama appearing to offer a Commons security pass to a fake firm that paid £4,000 to ask parliamentary questions.Mr Mercer, who has since resigned the Conservative Party whip, was secretly filmed by BBC's Panorama appearing to offer a Commons security pass to a fake firm that paid £4,000 to ask parliamentary questions.
The Commons Commission, chaired by Speaker John Bercow, will now check the role of the 80 people given passes by all-party groups. These include representatives of businesses, charities and think-tanks.The Commons Commission, chaired by Speaker John Bercow, will now check the role of the 80 people given passes by all-party groups. These include representatives of businesses, charities and think-tanks.
The names of the holders are publicly declared in Parliament's register.The names of the holders are publicly declared in Parliament's register.
No passes have been suspended while the investigation goes on.No passes have been suspended while the investigation goes on.
The coalition pledged to introduce a statutory register of lobbyists when it came to power in 2010, but critics have accused the government of inaction over the issue.The coalition pledged to introduce a statutory register of lobbyists when it came to power in 2010, but critics have accused the government of inaction over the issue.
Following the latest revelations, Downing Street said it would bring forward a bill before the end of July.Following the latest revelations, Downing Street said it would bring forward a bill before the end of July.
As well as plans for a statutory register, it said it would include measures to end self-certification of trade union membership and reform third-party funding of election campaigns.As well as plans for a statutory register, it said it would include measures to end self-certification of trade union membership and reform third-party funding of election campaigns.
These are likely to be controversial as the unions are large financial backers of Labour.These are likely to be controversial as the unions are large financial backers of Labour.
The end of self-certification for trade unions means they will be required to carry out an annual audit of their membership and demonstrate that the figures they produce are accurate.The end of self-certification for trade unions means they will be required to carry out an annual audit of their membership and demonstrate that the figures they produce are accurate.
A certification officer will be given the power to conduct investigations into the numbers produced, which are vital when ballots on strike action are conducted.A certification officer will be given the power to conduct investigations into the numbers produced, which are vital when ballots on strike action are conducted.
The reform of the third-party funding of election campaigns would attempt to close a loophole in rules governing the cap on spending by political parties during an election period.The reform of the third-party funding of election campaigns would attempt to close a loophole in rules governing the cap on spending by political parties during an election period.
A Labour source said including the union measures in the lobbying bill was "shabby... cheap politics".A Labour source said including the union measures in the lobbying bill was "shabby... cheap politics".
"The best way to proceed if you want to take big money out of politics and clean up the lobbying scandal is to act on a cross-party basis," they added."The best way to proceed if you want to take big money out of politics and clean up the lobbying scandal is to act on a cross-party basis," they added.
Earlier on Monday, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said the latest "unsettling but not surprising" allegations were symptomatic of a political system "long crying out for head-to-toe reform".Earlier on Monday, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said the latest "unsettling but not surprising" allegations were symptomatic of a political system "long crying out for head-to-toe reform".
He said: "We need to be realistic: there is no single, magical protection against an individual politician determined to behave unethically or inappropriately."He said: "We need to be realistic: there is no single, magical protection against an individual politician determined to behave unethically or inappropriately."